The political slug fest over preemptive surgical strikes carried out by Indian Army across LoC in PoK seems to be refusing to fade away.

The political slug fest over preemptive surgical strikes carried out by Indian Army across LoC in PoK seems to be refusing to fade away. (PTI)

The political slug fest over preemptive surgical strikes carried out by Indian Army across LoC in PoK seems to be refusing to fade away. Congress on Thursday hit back at Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar over the latter’s claim that no surgical strikes carried out in past. “I feel sad for what Parrikar said, he insulted Indian army and our country as well,” senior Congress leader AK Antony said. The former Defence Minister also took a dig at Parrikar, saying, “He (Parrikar) called surgical strike a burden and frustration of last 30 years, somebody must control him”. He also “strongly” objected his statement.

Fomer Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde also countered Parrikar’s claim saying, “During UPA’s tenure, 2-3 surgical strikes were carried out, but such facts were and should not be revealed.”

Maintaining that no surgical strikes were conducted in the past and the credit for the September 29 strikes should go to the Indian Army and citizens of the country, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar yesterday said the next response need not be a surgical strike since “unpredictability” keeps the enemy guessing.

He had said the strikes were the result of a decision taken by the government of the day and it should be “cheered” for that. “We need surgical strikes but our next response need not be by way of a surgical strike. There should be unpredictability in response. Otherwise, the enemy can study your pattern and prepare its strategy,” Parrikar said at an event in Mumbai.